Syrian Revolution Digest, March 28, 2011

Daraa again witnessed mass protests on Monday which led to a renewed crackdown by security forces, leaving a reported 5 protesters dead. Meanwhile, Lattakia’s Sleibeh Neighborhood was transformed into a new Tahrir-like square, all with a central platform, speakers and public debates over nature and extant of demands. Reports say that some troubles took place early on the day as the stage was being set, but there are no confirmed reports of casualties.

In Damascus a small demonstration took place in Jeramana Suburb leading to a swift crackdown.

In Lattakia protesters rejected yesterday´s claim of President Assad´s adviser, Bouthaina Shaaban that the Muslim Brotherhood was behind the events in Sleibeh and urged people to give an accurate picture to the media. “There is no sectarianism. We need to decide what we want, and who can speak in our name. We came out in peaceful protests, but on TV, they’re depicting us as terrorists. They’re putting guns and bullets next to our martyrs and videotape them. Our most important demand is that the truth be told. Today we buried six martyrs. Bouthaina Shaaban said that we killed 10 security people yesterday, but yesterday we protected two of them and delivered them to the Mayor, although they came to destroy…” Protesters chant: “One Hand, One Hand.” Another Speaker: “Please don’t spread rumours. There is no more fear… Put any knives away.”

On Tuesday, reports say, the country will witness big demonstrations organized by the state in support of Assad. Activists on the ground claim that these demonstrations are by no means a voluntary and free expression of real support for the regime but rather well orchestrated events. Activists state that the regime forces army recruits doing their obligatory military service to attend dressed in civics, alongside middle and high school students, college students, public sector employees, and private sector employees working for companies owned by relatives of the President.

From Social Media Networks

Daraa
Video shows wht’s left of Hafez Al-Assad’s statue after it was destroyed by protestors
Video, a previous meeting between the detained childrens’ families and the presidents’ deputations
Video of a big protest in Daraa supporting Latakia
Video released today of Friday of Dignity
Video of protest in Inkhel near Daraa supporting Latakia
Video of tribes protest in Daraa

Idlib
Video of protets in Ariha city.

Swaidaa
Video of lawyers’ strike in Suwayda’a supporting Syrian Uprising
Video of Suwayda’a lawyers reading their demands to the regimes’ deputations

Der Azzor
Video of protesters at Alqoura city chanting for Daraa

Lattakia
Video of protesters
Video of a huge protest today with slogans for freedom
Video of a Martyr shot by a sniper yesterday
Video Latakia youth’s sit-in at Alslaybiyah square assuring that the protests are peaceful

Damascus Suburbs
Video of attacks on a peaceful protester in Altal city

Egypt
Video showing a protest in Cairo supporting Syrian demands

Spain
Video of protesters in Madrid supporting Syrians on Sunday

United Kingdom
Video of a protest in London to support Syrian demands

Canada
Video released today of Saturday demonstration in Montreal to support the Syrian revolution

Reports
Report in Ha’aretz about Syria and Lebanon
Report in Alquds Alarabi newspaper about Syrian coast (Arabic)
Report about the Egyptian Mohammad Radwan (Arabic)
Report about Latakia (Arabic)
Report about the romurs of lifting the state of emergency law in Syria (Arabic)

TV Coverage
Alarabyia report on the Kurd position
Alarabyia report on political detainees in Syria
France 24 report on Ba’ath party history in Syria
France 24 report on Assad family of Syria
BBC interview with Mohammad Fattouh
Alhiwar TV interview with Ali Byanooni
BBC report on security forces violently disbursing a peaceful sit-in in Daraa

BBC report on the demands of Syrian revolution
France 24 report about state of emergency in Syria
Alarabyia report on security forces shooting protesters
Video of the Turkish PM advice to Assad

Promotional Clips
Freedom Slogans on Syrian banknotes
Rap song for the Syrian Revolution
Video about the Syrian revolution demands
Ya Hef (O’Shame) song dedicated to Daraa martyrs
A song supporting the revolution

Official Responses
Aldunia TV report on the arrested Egyptian Mohammad Radwan

Statements
Statement of some Syrian actresses/actors position on the events in Syria.

This digest was produced in cooperation with Kafa Samtan and the Strategic Research and Communication Centre.